Through Gov. Perry’s leadership, Texas has become a nationwide example for creating and implementing innovative programs to reduce emissions without compromising its strong economy. To achieve this balance, Gov. Perry has worked with the Legislature, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and industries across the state to institute the Texas Emission Reduction Plan (TERP), expand AirCheckTexas, and enact renewable energy legislation. Thanks to these efforts, Texans are breathing the cleanest air the state has seen in the last ten years, even in the midst of rapid population and economic growth.

Texas currently has areas that do not meet federal standards for ground level ozone, a primary byproduct from vehicle and industrial emissions. Gov. Perry has worked aggressively to bring these areas closer to compliance without compromising our economy, which depends on moving goods and people throughout the state. Much progress has been made, but there is more to be done to reach the federal requirements.

It is important to note that the state is not authorized to regulate emissions levels on the engines of cars, trucks, trains, marine vessels, or planes – a large contributor to our state’s ozone problem. Such mobile source emissions standards remain under control of the federal government which limits the state’s ability to efficiently pursue NAAQS compliance.

In Jan. 2008, the federal government arbitrarily tightened state ozone standards, essentially ignoring the significant steps made toward attaining compliance of the original NAAQS standards and the need to balance sound environmental policy with a growing economy. Nonetheless, the state is working to comply with the new standards.

• As Lt. Gov., Perry led efforts to pass Senate Bill 7 in 1999 which called for the reduction of NOx emissions from grandfathered power plants, ultimately reducing statewide NOx by 50 percent. The bill further encouraged TCEQ to adopt rules requiring an 80-90 percent reduction from power plants located in non attainment areas.
• Gov. Perry also signed into law renewable energy legislation that has resulted in the development of more wind generation capacity than any other state.
• With Gov. Perry’s encouragement, the TCEQ voluntarily drafted the Texas Emissions Reduction Plan (TERP), which provides incentives for the development of new emission reduction technology and provides grants for clean equipment turnover.
• The Low Income Vehicle Repair Assistance, Retrofit, and Accelerated Vehicle Retirement Program (LIRAP) was created to provide funding to help low income individuals repair or replace their old, heavily emitting cars or trucks. The vehicles replaced are removed from the road and demolished. The program, which was recently expanded to include a larger pool of eligible participants, is now called AirCheckTexas Drive a Clean Machine. So far this expansion has greatly accelerated the rate of vehicle turnover in our non attainment areas

The TERP program is the most heavily funded emissions reduction program in the country, surpassing even comparable projects initiated by the federal government. As of March 2008, more than $545 million in grants have been awarded to various programs that have helped reduce NOx by almost 128,000 tons, an average of more than 57 tons per day.

Through AirCheckTexas Drive a Clean Machine, there have been almost over 27,000 vouchers issued with 2,820 repair vouchers redeemed and 14,411 replacement vouchers redeemed as of august 2008. The program is the largest of its kind in the country and has been tremendously efficient so far. 

The air monitoring system responsible for measuring ambient air quality in Texas is one of the most robust systems in the country and provides information that helps focus state efforts in reducing emissions. The following is a breakdown of emission reductions between 2000 and 2006 from large industrial sources:

• Nitrogen Oxides – down 46 percent
• Sulfur Dioxide – down 14 percent
• Volatile Organic Compounds – down 24 percent

According to the EPA, our toxic release inventory between 2000 and 2006 has also dropped substantially:

• Air – down 17 percent
• Water – down 24 percent
• VUnderground Injection – down 23 percent
• Land – down 23 percent

Finally, while electric generation from coal-fueled electric suppliers in Texas has risen, nitrogen oxides emissions have been cut by 47 percent and sulfur dioxide by 24 percent since 1999. The state also has one of the most extensive petrochemical complexes in the world, yet Texas has seen levels of pollutants like benzene drop by over half since 2005 near the Houston Ship Channel.

Gov. Perry has done more to protect the environment than any other Texas governor in history and will continue to build a legacy of environmental stewardship while maintaining Texas’ reputation as a prime destination to do business.